Fast food trends to look out for in 2025

It's a brand-new year and the fast-food world is buzzing with exciting trends. 

Whether you own a fast food joint, manage one, or you’re flipping burgers, there's plenty to keep an eye on this year.

Now, while no one can predict the future with 100% certainty, we’ve done the legwork for you. We’ve scoured through socials, looked into industry reports, and scoped out the plans of the big fast-food players to bring you a sneak peek at what’s set to be hot in 2025.

Getting ahead is about staying one step ahead of the competition. So, let's get right into what's on the trend menu this year.

Key fast food industry statistics 

Now, before we get into the top trends we think will dominate quick-service restaurants this year, let's first zoom out and look at the industry as a whole. We've got some fun and interesting facts about fast-food businesses. Here’s the lowdown on what makes the fast-food world tick.

Why is fast food trending? 

Fast food is trending because the US is the #1 consumer of it globally. According to the World Population Review, the average American eats fast food 1-3 times a week, making it a staple in their daily lives. With people spending around $160 billion annually on fast food, it's no surprise this topic is always buzzing and the industry is always developing. When you’ve got that kind of consumption, that level of cash flow, the conversation around it is bound to stay hot year-round.

How many fast food restaurants are in the US?

This year, there are 213,957 fast-food restaurants open in the US. That’s a pretty big increase from 204,271 in 2022 (a 1.7% increase, in fact), showing just how fast this industry is growing. More fast food spots mean more options for customers and more competition for businesses.

What is the percentage of fast food meals in America?

37% of American adults eat fast food every single day, and 83% of households grab fast food at least once a week. Fast food is clearly a big deal in the States, it’s something people turn to regularly!

Top fast food chains in the market

This will likely be no surprise to you because the top fast-food restaurants are the ones you probably see everywhere. According to Technomic's Top 500 report, here's a look at the top fast food chains, according to fast food sales:

• #1 McDonald’s ($53.1 billion)
• #2 Starbucks ($31.6 billion)
• #3 Chick-fil-A ($21.6 billion)
• #4 Taco Bell ($15 billion)
• #5 Wendy’s ($12.3 billion)
• #6 Dunkin’ Donuts ($12 billion)
• #7 Burger King ($11 billion)
• #8 Subway ($10 billion)
• #9 Chipotle ($9.9 billion)
• #10 Domino’s ($9 billion)
• #11 Pizza Hut ($8.9 billion)

Just so you know, we've done some research into what these fast food franchises have planned for 2025 so we'll be using examples from their strategies to highlight upcoming trends!

The Top 7 trends influencing fast food restaurants 

These are the shifts happening right now that are shaping the future of fast food:

Healthier choices are IN!

If we asked you to name some words you associate with fast food, what would you say? Probably tasty, greasy, junk food, or quick. Maybe cheap, easy, or a treat. But we’re betting you wouldn’t throw out words like nutritious, low-calorie, or healthy options.

That's because, and let's be completely honest here, fast food hasn’t always been about healthy choices. For years, it's been all about indulgence: burgers stacked high with tons of toppings, greasy fries, supersized portions, and milkshakes loaded with sugar. You name it, fast food serves it. It was the kind of food that satisfied cravings but didn’t exactly do much for your waistline.

But in 2025, people care more about what they’re eating. In fact, a study shows that 50% of Americans are actively trying to eat healthier. So, fast food chains are coming out with healthier alternatives. We’re seeing lots of marketing around lower-calories menu alternatives and even options for specific diets like keto and gluten-free. And, we expect restaurant brands to continue to create new menu items with fresh, wholesome ingredients that cater to dietary preferences this year.

Taco Bell is a great example. Back in 2008, they made a plan to cut sodium by 25% by 2025. It’s all part of the bigger shift toward making fast food healthier. Plus, they’ve removed artificial colors and flavors, replaced unsustainable palm oil, and are sourcing 100% cage-free eggs and antibiotic-free chicken.

Plant-based burgers and meat-free meals

Remember those young Gen Zs we used to ignore (too busy on their phones, right)? Well, turns out that in 2024, they made up almost a quarter of consumer spending globally. Yikes, we’ve definitely been sleeping on them.

This shift in consumer behavior means we can’t ignore what they want anymore. And, after looking into their eating habits, one trend has jumped out. The next generation is all about meat-free food. In fact, over half of Gen Z eat a mostly vegetarian diet, and 21% are strictly vegan.

According to VegNews, almost 50% of US restaurants now offer plant-based options. Big names like Burger King and White Castle were the first to jump in, and now places like Panda Express and Wendy's are offering plant-based and vegan dishes. These fast food statistics show one thing: meat-free meals are here to stay, and the industry is stepping up to meet the consumer demand.

Value menus are making a comeback

It’s been almost 5 years since the pandemic flipped everything upside down. Since then, we’ve all been feeling the pinch with rising costs. “Cost of living crisis” is in the news every day, and prices just keep going up.

Fast food isn’t safe from these price hikes either. Even the cheaper fast food franchises have had to raise their menu prices. Ingredients, labor costs, delivery, and everything else cost more now. So, customers are paying more for the same stuff, and no one’s happy about it.

Last year, Chipotle got a lot of heat on TikTok because people felt like their bowls and burritos were getting smaller but the price was still high. Fans were not pleased, and it caused a lot of buzz. It made everyone realize that if people are paying more, they want to feel like they’re getting their money’s worth.

In 2025, one of the biggest trends in fast food is bringing back value menus. Chains are rolling out cheaper options to help people save money. McDonald’s, for example, just announced the launch of their McValue™ menu with deals like 'Buy One, Add One for $1', the popular $5 Meal Deal, plus special discounts on their digital loyalty programs app. And, other fast food brands are following suit too.

The return of value menus is a trend that shows fast food places are listening to their customers, people want affordable options that still hit the spot.

Artificial intelligence and technological integration

AI is changing every industry right now. It’s one of the most talked-about innovations ever. You’d have to live under a rock to miss all the buzz about it. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that it's in our 2025 fast food trends list.

More and more fast food chains are using AI to keep things running smoothly and improve the customer experience. One great example is Wendy’s. In 2023, they teamed up with Google Cloud to launch FreshAI, an AI-powered system that handles drive-thru orders. Some people were skeptical about this drive-thru innovation, but Wendy’s has kept at it, rolling it out to more locations.

This year, they're taking it even further. They’re testing out an AI tool that can change menu prices in real-time, a bit like Uber's surcharging. Customers are a bit nervous about the idea of prices changing without warning. But Wendy's has assured them it's only to help make their menu items cheaper when they're not as busy.

From mobile ordering to AI-driven suggestions, fast food chains are finding more ways to use technology to meet customer demand and save money. AI is not just a trend in the fast food industry, it’s the future.

Sustainable packaging solutions

Sustainability is a big deal in the fast-food world right now. Consumers care more than ever about customer values and how brands treat the planet. Packaging is getting a lot of attention. Fast food chains are moving toward using biodegradable and compostable containers and recycled materials to help cut down on waste and protect the environment.

Take Burger King, for example. In 2022, they were sued for using PFAS (aka "forever chemicals") in their packaging. These chemicals helped make the packaging grease-resistant, but they’re linked to serious health risks like cancer and fertility issues. Now, in 2025, the FDA made a big announcement: no more grease-resistant packaging with PFAS in the U.S. market. Big win for health, right?

As more fast food chains like Burger King switch to more suitable packaging, it's clear they’re listening to consumer demand for safer, eco-friendly options.

Higher demand for mobile ordering and delivery services

Last, but definitely not least, on our fast food restaurant trends is an increased demand for digital integration and ordering. People love the convenience of having food delivered straight to their door, or ready to pick up with just a few taps on mobile ordering apps.

In fact, food delivery services are now the most popular way to order food in the US. DoorDash found that, in 2024, 70% of people said they ordered delivery, 70% picked up takeout, and 68% dined in. Pretty wild, right?

Fast food chains are all over this trend. To enhance customer engagement, they're making it easier to order through apps and websites. It's all about making it simple for customers, whether they’re at home or on the go with online ordering.

Fast food trends that won’t make it this year

Here are the trends that we won’t see coming back this year:

1. Menus that are not transparent and clear to the consumer: Fast food chains are shifting focus to customer values, and transparency is key. Consumers want clear information on ingredients and nutritional content. If your menu isn’t upfront, it could hurt the customer experience, causing them to look elsewhere for more transparent options.

2. Classic fast food burgers: Now onto burger trends. The classic fast-food burger is on the decline. Many consumers are leaning toward healthier alternatives, like plant-based burgers, instead of the traditional greasy, fried options. Fast food restaurants are evolving to meet consumer demand for new, exciting menu items that cater to changing tastes.

3. Big portion sizes: Many consumers are now looking for customizable portion sizes to suit their needs. Fast food restaurants are offering build-your-own options and customizable portion sizes to enhance customer engagement and meet consumer demand.

How to keep up with the changes in the fast-food sector

To stay ahead in the fast food industry, you need to keep up with the latest trends and changes. Here’s how you can do that:

• Implement point of sale technology: Use POS systems for quick service restaurants to collect customer data and adjust your menu strategy based on what your customers want.
• Use a payment processing system: Make sure your payment system accepts any payment method to never miss out on sales.
• Customize your POS program: Integrate the right tools into your POS system to offer convenience to your customers, go multi-channel, and make their experience smoother.
• Invest in the right ingredients: Use real-time inventory data to choose the best ingredients and food items that match what customers are craving.